The number of foreign tourists in Tunisia rose by 23%t in 2017 compared with the previous year, official data revealed.

Tourism revenues were, on December 20, 2017, at 2,696.5 million dinars registering an evolution of 16.3% compared to the previous season, according to the same source.

August was marked by the highest performance of the season, recording revenues of about 674 million dinars against 469 million dinars during the same period of 2016, with a jump of 43.7%.

6.7 million tourists visited Tunisia, during this period, an increase of 23% compared to 2016. Algerian tourists are at the top of the foreigners who have visited Tunisia recording an increase of 40.5% compared to 2016.

The French tourists top the list of European tourists having chosen the Tunisia destination, with a leap of 45,5% compared to 2016, followed by the Russian tourists whose number has decreased by 17,3% compared to the former season.

The number of total tourist overnight stays as of December 10, 2017 has progressed by 22.3% compared to 2016, amounting to 21,251 million overnight stays.

The largest number of nights was recorded in Djerba-Zarzis, with 4,664 million overnight stays, followed by Sousse (4,084 million overnight stays).

Tourism accounts for about 8 percent of Tunisia’s gross domestic product, provides thousands of jobs and is a key source of foreign currency.

In 2010 Tunisia’s tourism revenues had hit a record at 3.5 billion dinars with almost 7 million tourists visiting.